St. Paul’s Family Worship Weekly Postcard: July 23, 2020
| Blessings to St. Paul’s Beloved Family Eucharist Congregation! |
| Justice Resources |
| Family Sermon by Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones about the sin of racism. A list of resources from some Episcopal friends in North Carolina. A short family guide to supporting racial justice now. Book Lists: (various social justice topics, including racial justice) Social Justice Books; A Teaching for Change Project Act for Social JusticeEmbrace Race: “Diverse” Books for Children Anti-Racism Books for Elementary Students Indigo Arts Alliance Book list COMING UP….. Justice Book Bags! In the next few weeks there will be bags available for pick up with inclusive and justice oriented books for various ages. Please let Rev. Katie know if your family would like to borrow from our new Family Justice Library. |
| All Things Youth |
| Hello St. Paul’s Middle and High School Youth! Middle and High School Youth Gatherings At the request of our youth we will be gathering twice on Sundays. Join us for prayers at 9 a.m. and stay for family worship. Youth group will be later in the afternoon. Please note we will use the same Zoom for both gatherings. NEW: While the weather is in our favor, the youth have decided to gather for weekly Youth Group from 1-2 p.m. in the Garden. Please wear a mask, practice physical distance, and bring your own water and snack should you need them. This Sunday, July 26th 9:00 a.m. Check in and Prayer via Zoom Click Link to join Meeting ID: 966 1711 1762 Password: church 1-2 p.m. Youth Group in the Garden High Schoolers: Don’t forget you are always invited to participate in the Diocese of Maine Youth weekly Compline. Fridays at 8 p.m.Click Link to join, or call (301) 715-8592 Meeting ID: 912 2904 6535 |
| Join Us for Worship |
| Join us this Sunday, July 26, the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 a.m. Rev. Katie Holicky and musician Susan Brown will lead us in a time of song, prayer, story and sharing with our friends! Here is the link for the Zoom gathering. NEW: Click here for the 9:30 Family Worship Booklet 10:30 a.m. Spiritual Eucharist – View the Diocese-wide worship service on the St. Paul’s Facebook page or on You Tube. 11:30 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour on Zoom. Here is the Zoom link. |
| Sunday Paper Junior |
| To read, print and color the Sunday Paper Junior, click here. |
| Fun Things for Families |
| Fun for Summer! Another great list of summer resources! Summer Activity Pack is brought to you by Church Publishing and is a great free summer resource. |
| Here are some helpful resources to keep you and your family faithfully connecting during this season at home. Family Sunday School brought to you by SparkHouse! Enjoy some faith based family time. This resource includes a video with songs and stories, an info/ activity sheet and coloring page! Building Faith Brick by Brick brings Legos and Bible stories together for this playful way to explore scripture. Parents, all questions/ prompts are included in each lesson! From paper print outs to how to make-your-own 3D labyrinths, use these ideas for finger labyrinths for a grounding moment. Parents and teens, are you looking for a way to deepen your daily prayer practice? Pray As You Go. Here is a helpful website, also available as an app for your smartphone or tablet, that offers you a daily practice of readings, prayers and even musically Psalms! |
| Camp Bishopswood Misses You! Although they aren’t hosting campers in-person, Camp Bishopswood is offering virtual camp activities! The schedule for week #3 appears below. Want to get involved? Email campbishopswood2020@gmail.com for details. |
| Podcast Series on Hope |
| Podcast Series Faith in Maine begins an eight-week series of audio essays on the concept of hope by Rev. Martin Smith. The series runs Monday, June 15 until Monday, August 3. Find Faith in Maine at http://faithinmaine.org/ or anywhere you download podcasts. |
| How St. Paul’s is Staying Connected |
| Parish Office Staff Hours for July and August: (*with the exception of 7/22, 7/29, 8/5 & 8/12 for Rev. Carolyn during her vacation when the office will be closed) Precautions to Observe While you are in the building of St. Paul’s We want parishioners and guests to be able to contact staff members in person while at the same time we take the Maine CDC recommended precautions. The hallway off the Union Street parking lot to the office and the office itself are the only areas open. Call or email the staff member working that day to alert them you’ll be coming and use the intercom at the parking lot door to call them to open the door when you arrive. Wear a mouth and nose covering when in the building. We have a mask to give you. Use hand sanitizer to wash hands. (Restrooms and kitchen will be closed.) We will provide hand sanitizer stations along the hallway off the Union Street parking lot. Please be sure to sign in. Observe distancing precautions: 6 feet apart. No more than four will be in the building at a time. |
| The Gratitude Project |
| The Gratitude Project Update: 175th Anniversary Committee The St. Paul’s Gratitude Project of making and collecting 175 items of warm clothing is making continuous gradual progress. The total of warm clothing items collected is now 87, which puts us more than half-way towards our goal, thanks in part to an encouraging boost from a generous donation of unused flannel shirts. In the meanwhile, Holy Stitchers are industriously working on projects, many hats, scarves, mittens, and socks. Anyone in the congregation is welcome to join in, both in making items or in donating. Anyone who would like to use some of our “stash” of donated yarn should contact either Charla Spann or Carol Martin. (We have tubs of donated yarn in the attic. Fortunately, a good number of our items for the Gratitude Project are helping to use up at least a little of our collective stash.) At least part of the point of the Gratitude Project is to give us a concrete focus for the gratitude we feel for 175 years of congregational flourishing. At points, our existence may have seemed more a matter of survival, but survive we did, and we’re still here to worship in and serve our community. |
| Mid Coast Hunger Prevention |
| An Update on Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Our country is going through a very rough period now with the COVID-19 virus, high unemployment, and businesses not being able to operate at full capacity. Mid Coast Hunger is also going through a rough period. Many organizations, clubs, and churches that support their effort to feed the hungry have not been able to donate non-perishable items. They have had to use limited cash to purchase these items in order to meet the need. School will soon be in session and MCHPP will be feeding students whether in school or at home. We can continue to support them with donations. A check in any amount would be greatly appreciated. Please mail your check directly to them at 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick. Thank you for your continued support in this crucial time. |
| Diocesan Anti-Hunger Campaign |
Join congregations and individuals in the diocese to help feed those in need and assist Maine farmers. This spring, the diocese and several parish partners purchased many pounds of Aroostook County potatoes. These were bought from farmers whose crops would have otherwise spoiled because they were unable to get them to market in the pandemic. They were driven by donated trucks to food pantries throughout the state. The diocese is now expanding their response to local food insecurity beginning with a second purchase of 30,000 pounds or more of potatoes through the Maine Farmers Exchange. Their immediate goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase the next truckload and make shipping arrangements. Please consider making a contribution. You can donate by check made out to Episcopal Diocese of Maine with subject line “Food Insecurity Fund” mailed to: Attn: John HennessyEpiscopal Diocese of MainePO Box 4036Portland, ME 04101 They also have set up some ways for you to give electronically:Mobile app – Download the GivePlus mobile app on the App Store or on Google Play, enter our zip code “04101”, select “Episcopal Diocese of Maine” and give. [Find more instructions for the app here.] Visit episcopalmaine.org – Easily enter your donation from the website. Click on the “donate” button on the top of the home page. |
| How to Help and Where to Find Help in Maine |
| Resources in Brunswick Link to Support Brunswick Facebook page Link to Fred Horch’s Support Brunswick Resource Guide |
| St. Paul’s Online This Week Click to Join |
| Sunday 7/26 Zoom 9:30 am Family Story, Prayer & Sharing Facebook or YouTube 10:30 am Spiritual Eucharist on St. Paul’s Facebook or Spiritual Eucharist on YouTube Zoom11:30 am Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday in the Garden 1:00 pm Middle & High Schoolers Monday-Saturday Facebook 7:30 am Morning Prayer Facebook 7:30 pm Compline Tuesday 7/28 Zoom 9:30 am Holy Stitchers Zoom 12:30 pm Women’s Bible Study Wednesday 7/29 Link to Meeting Format 7:30 am Men’s Group – contact Al Niese at 406-2396 Rick Wile at 756-0095 or Paul Womer at 449-7425 Thursday 7/30 Zoom 11:00 am Healing Prayer Service Zoom Noon Prayer Group Zoom 2:00 pm Women’s Group |
